An open letter to all Mumbaikars

Amid nationwide lockdown, I had to step out of my house to go to the medical store, not that it was my first visit to any store during this lockdown. However, what I saw on the roads, literally forced me to write this letter.

First of all, I would like to mention that COVID 19 is no one’s fault (maybe except China - we don’t know it yet but that’s what Donald Trump says) including us and the govt. too. Yes, it’s not their fault either and honestly, it wasn’t even in their election agenda. No contesting party/politician ever mentioned about how are they gonna manage a pandemic if they come into power. So, it’s definitely not their fault and neither one of us voted thinking of a pandemic yet we expect them to handle this situation seamlessly, isn’t that little unfair? We are observing what the world is doing, learning from them and taking steps very carefully. Our government may not be dealing with it in the best possible way but who is? Who is able to deal with it in a perfect manner? Which country was prepared for it? How are best of the nations dealing with it? Well, they’re all struggling and so are we but I can definitely say that the world is looking at us, the world is counting on India. 

Our corona warriors are fighting everyday to tackle this problem. They’ve put their lives at risks so that we are safe. Well, I totally agree with people who say this is a war. It is just the one which doesn’t involves guns and explosives. But the lives are still being lost, our warriors are away from their families trying to save us. Most of us are no experts and have very few options to contribute to this war. A lot of us are contributing by giving financial aid too, however, there’s one way in which every single one of us is needed to contribute, by staying indoors.

This is the time when we all can contribute. Our smallest contribution is enough for us to survive till the time experts come out with an approved vaccine. We may have complaints with the govt. but even they were not prepared for it. Biggest of the nations are failing to manage it. Look at Europe, US, UK. This is not the time to criticise the govt but to support them. 

I live in Mumbai and no matter what happens but this city never stops, it never sleeps but this is the time to let this “never stop” attitude take the backseat and for once, lets do to what is expected out of us. Every other contribution (PM Cares, I for India and many other NGOs) is optional. We have only 1 obligation, to stay indoors. How difficult can that be? I am sure people do get frustrated sitting at home for so long but going out isn’t an option either.

What made me write this letter and why to all Mumbaikars? Yesterday I stepped out of my house refill my stock of essentials and what I saw on streets just scared the shit out of me. Apparently, India imposed the biggest lockdown in the history but looking at the vehicular movement in the lanes, people coming out for walks, jog, smoke or just to chill, even auto rickshaws which are not supposed to be operational at this point, looks like biggest lockdown is majorly on papers, videos and social media. The ground reality looks little different. I am not kidding. It’s a usual sight in Versova where things are as normal as they could be except that restaurants & cafes and other non essential shops are shut. Social distancing is a distanced concept here. I asked a fellow buyer to maintain the distance as it is very important at this hour and imagine what did I get in return? A stare. It wasn’t the first time though. In last 40 days, whenever I have stepped out to buy the essentials, every single time I had pointed it out to people, even got into an argument with the shopkeepers and sellers that they also have to ensure people maintain social distance and every time I get the same thing in return, a stare. I have witnessed the educated and rich clan of our society being careless. People are still willing to break into queues while ignoring all the norms of social distancing. Wearing the masks alone isn’t going to help us fight this devil. Precautions to fight against COVID come in a package. Following only 1 of them isn’t enough. Longer we break the rules and ignore them, longer we wait to get out to earn our bread & butter. Mumbai has always been an example to the country and we still are. We are topping the list of maximum cases in the country. It’s time we get serious about this otherwise we are in it for a long long time. We have the easiest yet the biggest contribution to make. We can take these walks or chill with our friends in outdoors later but for now, it’s time to STAY HOME.

Your fellow Mumbaikar